How the Cleveland Browns can go from good to great
By Greg Newland
![Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator watches Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warmup during the before an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns Extras 8](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F15421295-850x560-b45e914e70a0d896afdd20234dd7c9122db74d161e7511ee37566b27298b1bfe.jpg "Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator watches Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warmup during the before an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns Extras 8")
How can the Cleveland Browns ensure they take the next step as a franchise?
While Cleveland Browns fans are on top of the world after making the playoffs in 2020 for the first time since 2002 and winning a playoff game for the first time since 1994, it is time for a bit of a reality check before the 2021 season.
While the Browns are a very good football team and have a tremendous shot at making the playoffs again in 2021, it’s tough to make the argument that they are truly Super Bowl contenders next season. In the AFC alone the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills both appear to be ahead of them, not to mention multiple teams in the NFC who likely have the upper hand.
On one hand, after years and years of struggling, Cleveland Brown’s fans need to just be happy with where the team is. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager, Andrew Berry, both appear to be the right guys and could very well be around for the next 5-10 years. What they both accomplished in one season is just short of a miracle.
On the other hand, fans need to be realistic. There are a lot of holes on this Browns roster, and to think they can compete for a Super Bowl “as is”, is just not a realistic thought. While the Browns kept things interesting in the Divisional Round last year vs. the Chiefs, it’s important to remember that game is likely a blowout if Patrick Mahomes doesn’t get injured.
The last bit of good news, the Browns can be a contender in 2021 with a few tweaks and additions to their roster. With a reasonable amount of cap space, Berry must be extremely efficient, but there is reason to believe he will get it done. With these four changes, the Browns could go from good to great in 2021 and could be playing for a title in Inglewood, CA next season.